Who were the dominant female fighters of the '80s? Today, we’re spotlighting Karate Illustrated’s July 1984 cover, featuring one of the...

Thoughts on Being an Effective Sensei  To be an effective teacher, one must first adopt the mindset of a student. A teacher should...

Is the Reverse Punch the Most Lethal Move in Shotokan karate? Master Kenneth Funakoshi demonstrates the perfect reverse punch in this...

Black Belt: If you would never have had the accident that wrecked your right knee and led you to start your career in karate, do you think you'd be called "Superfeet" instead of Superfoot? Bill "Superfoot" Wallace: I really have no idea. I wouldn't have practiced with the left foot twice as much as everybody else, which helped give the foot a mind of its own. I would have been more orthodox and fought like everyone else instead of from the side stance.

When was the last time you truly failed? It’s a question we’d all rather ignore. We’re often taught to gauge success by how well we avoid...

The sport karate scene in 2024 has been nothing short of thrilling, with groundbreaking achievements, game-changing moves, and plenty of...

The February 1980 issue of Fighting Stars  showcased Chuck Norris in his prime, facing off against the muscular Bill "Superfoot" Wallace...

In the earliest days of martial arts competition, fighters stepped into bare-knuckle matches with nothing but their skill and reputation...

As Okinawan Goju-Ryu master Seikichi Toguchi liked to point out, the role of the legs in his style of karate is primarily locomotion. They’re used to move the body into position and then align it so a hand strike can be delivered. The reason is clear: Biomechanically, the most natural and effective weapon for human beings to use is the fist.

Bill Wallace is a true living legend, a man who’s regarded as the world’s greatest kicker by nearly everyone in the martial arts community. “Superfoot” is universally respected for his professional full-contact karate record, in which he amassed 23 consecutive victories before retiring undefeated.

"Fear is not my enemy; it is a friend. Fear is only allowing me to see an aspect of myself I was not willing to look at." – Mike Stone In...

The word legend  conjures up images of larger-than-life figures who have performed unbelievable feats over the years. In the realm of...

There is a moment, in some rituals of the tea ceremony, that calls for the kettle to be lifted from the charcoal brazier that heats it....

The May 1972 issue of Karate Illustrated  showcased a legend on its cover: Jim Kelly facing off in a sparring match, giving a glimpse of...

Southern pride Keith Vitali graced the May 1980 cover of Karate Illustrated , marking the start of the flashy 80s era. A former Karate...

This article was published in the April 1974 issue of Fighting Stars magazine, a sister publication of Black Belt. That means it appeared just five years after the original Star Trek was canceled and many years before the sci-fi series became a staple of film and television. At the time, William Shatner was not the international superstar he’s recognized as today. He was just an actor who’d had a good run on a series that happened to be set in space. And he was a martial arti

Black Belt Magazine publisher George Chung recently moderated the premiere screening of "90 Day Black Belt Challenge Accepted" on Monday

The practice of martial arts in the United States started small and was mostly limited to World War II veterans

Karate is not just a martial art; it's a way of life that instills discipline, respect, and self-confidence in children..

2024 Black Belt Hall of Fame Inductee Ernie Reyes Jr. is the featured throwback, having graced the cover of the May 1991 issue. At just...

Karate practitioners with any interest in the historical roots of their art will be familiar with the terms Naha-te and Shuri-te..

Like most martial arts, karate originated as a system that was designed for hand-to-hand combat.

A great kata performance must combine precision, flow, power and spirit, and good students spend considerable time and energy

Kappa are curious beasts of Japanese mythology. With the body of a human and the shell and beak of a turtle, they live..